Ice shaving machine



Sept. 23, 1958 s. BERT 2,853,243

ICE sHAvING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1954 29 /3 mvENToR amue) Ber-'y ATTORNEY United States Patent C ICE SHAVING MACHINE Samuel Bert, Dallas, Tex. Application November 15, 1954, Serial No. 468,876 1 Claim. (Cl. 241--92) The invention relates to improvements in ice shaving, cutting or chipping machines of the general type shown in my prior patents, No. 1,700,819, dated February 5, 1929; No. 1,722,031, dated July 23, 1929; and No. 2,477,474, dated July 26, 1949, wherein the machine comprises a bottom housing or receptacle having a compartment to receive shaved ice, and an upper receptacle having a compartment to hold a block of ice to be shaved. In the upper compartment a weighted follower is provided to press the block of ice downward, and between the upper and lower compartments there is located a rotary circular plate carrying ice shaving knives, said plate being connected securely to the shaft of a prime mover, herein shown by way of illustration as an electric motor, it being understood that other known types of prime movers such as gas or fluid drive motors may be employed within the scope of my invention to support the plate on which the shaving knives are mounted, and to supply the power to drive said shaving knives at the desired speed of rotation or revolutions per minute` An object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of machine which embodies a novel means of supporting and driving the shaving knives with the somewhat complicated means of mechanical power transmission disclosed in my prior patents eliminated. My present invention is also designed to eliminate power losses in the mechanical transmissions of the prior art and to eliminate many operating parts. My invention also reduces the operation, maintenance, depreciation and obsolescence costs of prior power transmission mechanism. The present invention also reduces the space required for said power transmission.

As is well known any means of power transmission has inherent dangers which are substantially eliminated by this invention. The invention also Very materially reduces the materials required for the construction of an ice shaving device, and the space required for the operation of an ice shaving machine. Moreover, the requirements for lubricants of power transmission are substantially eliminated, and the collection of water in transmission housings is eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide improvements permitting the prime mover to drive the cutting blades and drive other machines with a shaft portion eX- tending below said prime mover, shown in the drawing as an electric motor. In accordance with my invention the cutting blades may be rotated from an external source of mechanical power, making use of the shaft extension below the motor.

In accordance with the present invention the cutting blades may be rotated by a shaft extending below the floor of the bottom housing or receptacle to receive the rotating power from an external source and no motor enclosed in said lower chamber will be required.

The invention will be mo-re readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed "description in which a specific embodiment is ice set forth by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the improved ice shaving machine with parts broken away and some parts shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. l but on a smaller scale than Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail taken substantially in the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the cutting knife, the detail being on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a control switch similar to that shown in my Patent No. 1,700,819.

In common with the disclosures of my prior patents my ice shaving machine comprises an upper receptacle or housing A rectangular in cross section containing a compartment for a block of ice to be shaved or disintegrated, and a lower receptacle or housing B containing a compartment for shaved ice to be dispensed, with a suitable ice cutting o-r shaving assembly or mechanism C located in the upper part of the lower compartment and adapted to operate on the lower surface of a cake of ice housed principally in the upper container but with its lower end projecting into the upper end of the lower container, there being preferably provided in the upper chamber suitable vertically guided ice block engaging and following means, and also means associated with the follower means for automatically cutting off the power which actuates the cutting mechanism when the cake of ice has been substantially completely shaved and the` follower reaches its lower limit within the upper chamber as set forth in my Patent No. 1,700,819. The walls of both receptacles A and B are preferably largely transparent or pro-vided with transparent windows so that the interior of each will be readily visible at all times. The upper compartment A may be of the same or similar construction as the compartment 8 in my Patent No. 2,477,474, to which reference may be made for details of construction not herein described, though it will be obvious that such details may be varied if desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention in its broadest aspects.

In accordance with the present invention the ice shav-l ing assembly C is actuated by a prime mover D, herein shown as an electric motor which is located below the table or the like upon which the shaved ice receptacle B is supported, the ice shaving assembly C being shown as detachably connected with the prime mover D by a vertical shaft passing through the center of the receptacle B.

As set forth in my aforesaid prior patents the upper container or receptacle A rests upon the lower receptacle B and may be secured thereto in any suitable manner, and

may be provided with a side door (not shown) through which a block of ice may be introduced into such compartment. The upper receptacle is preferably formed with transparent panels which may be of glass, Plexiglas, or other suitable material, so that the interio-r may be readily observed. The ice compartment in receptacle A is open at its bottom and is preferably square or rectangular in cross section.

The lower receptacle B corresponds generally in function and in external construction with the lower compartment 1 of my Patent No. 2,477,474, and may likewise include transparent panels of Plexiglas or the like, so

that the interior may be observed, and may be providedv shaved ice is mounted upon the bottom 11 and is provided with perforations 15 to allow moisture to pass therethrough. The ice shaving assembly C comprises a rotatable knife assembly mounted within the upper portion of the housing B just below the opening 21 leading from the upper compartment. A block of ice, when inserted in the upper compartment, will rest upon the knife assembly and the ice will be shaved from its under surface when the knife assembly is rotated as described in my prior patents. The shaved ice will drop into the lower receptacle B, in which it will be visible by reason of the transparent windows and from which it may be removed as and when desired through any suitable door (not shown) as described in my prior patents. The knife assembly may comprise a disk 22 of slightly larger diameter than the opening 21 and at its upper surface is spaced slightly below the top of the lower receptacle B, said disk having four openings or slots 23 which are substantially but not exactly radial and are positioned to receive four shaving blades 24 which may be constructed and mounted substantially as set forth in my prior Patent No. 1,722,031.

In accordance with the present invention the disk 22 of the knife assembly C is shown as supported from beneath by a spider 25, which is to be considered as part of the knife assembly and which is preferably detachably but nonrotatably supported upon an extension 26 of the shaft of the prime mover D. This may be accomplished by providing the spider with a hollow cap 27 from which the spokes radiate, such cap being noncircular in internal cross section and fitting on the similarly formed motor shaft extension 26.

As will be apparent, the prime mover D is locatedentirely outside the housings or receptacles A and B, the motor being shown as attached by means of bolts 29 to a plate 30, which in turn is secured to the under side of the table or other receptacle support 28 in any suitable manner, as by bolts 31.. The table top 28 and plate 30 are shown as provided with concentric openings 32, 33 through which passes the motor stub shaft 34 which is connected through a suitable coupling 35 with a power shaft 36 whose upper extension 26 drives the ice shaving assembly C as previously described.y

As shown, the ice shaving assembly C and the shaft extension 26 are supported and secured in place by means of a bearing 37, preferably the sealed type, which in turn is mounted in suitable socket plurality of spaced radial arms in number, the ends of which corners of the lower receptacle such as bolts 40. A press fit is provided between the outer casing of the bearing 37 and the socket member 38 with a close tit between the inner race of the bearing and the power shaft 36.

A lower bearing 41 for the power shaft 36 similar to the upper bearing 37 may also be provided. As shown, a socket member 42 is provided upon the bottom 11 of the lower casing B into which the lower bearing 41 is press fitted. The power shaft 36 is preferably rotatably enclosed in a tube 43 which extends between the upper and lower bearings 37 and 41 and protects the power shaft from contact with ice or water within the lower receptacle D. By the use of the press fitted upper and lower bearings 37 and 41, the connecting tube 43 and the cap 27, contact of moisture with the motor shaft or its extensions is effectively prevented.

As shown, the prime mover D is provided with a downwardly extending shaft extension 44, herein shown as slotted as at 45 to provide a clutch coupling whereby mechanical power may be transmitted to or from the ice shaving machine. Thus, if it be desirable to operate two or more ice shaving machines from a single source of power a line shaft may be provided with individual clutches for each ice shaving machine, the prime mover 39 herein shown as four may be secured in the D by any suitable means,

member 38 carried by a' being controlled by a suitable switch operating from any one or from a selected one of the machines.

In common with my prior patents the upper chamber A, which receives the ice block to be shaved, is equipped with a follower member herein designated by the reference numeral 60, which is adapted to rest upon the block of ice and keep it pressed downwardly against the cutting blades 24 of the cutter assembly C. The follower member 60 is shown as provided with teeth 61 for engagement with the top of an ice block and is also shown as positively guided in its up and down movements by means of end rollers 62 similar to those shown in my prior Patents Nos. 1,700,819 and 1,722,031. The top of the receptacle A is closed by a detachable cover 63 having a central aperture through which a rod 64 attached to the follower member is adapted to pass, the upper end of the rod being equipped with a knob or handle 65 having an integral tinger member 66 extending laterally therefrom. Within the top 63 there is provided a recess 67 in which is mounted a control switch 68 having leads 69 and 70 in a power line which includes the prime mover D. The switch 67 is provided with onl and off buttons 71 and 72 respectively, the off button 72 being directly below the knob linger 66 and engageable thereby when the follower member 60 is in its lowermost position, so as to automatically stop the motor which drives the cutter assembly C. The motor may be started by the operator pressing the on button 71 of the switch 68.

A pin 75 carried by a chain 76 attached to the top of the receptacle A is adapted to be inserted through aperture 77 in the follower rod 64 when the follower is in raised position so as to hold the front door of the receptacle A. y

The operation of the device will be largely apparent from the foregoing description and from my prior patents, but will be briefly summarized as follows:

The follower member is raised to its uppermost position and the pin 75 inserted through the aperture 77 in the follower rod 64. Thereupon a block of ice is inserted in the receptacle A through a suitable door (not shown), after which the key of the pin 75 is removed from the follower so as to permit the same to contact the top of the ice block. The lower end of the ice block will, of course, rest upon the top of the cutter member C.

When it'is desired to shave a quantity of ice the motor D is started by the operator pressing the on button 71, whereupon ice shavings pass through the openings 23 into the receptacle B and also pass from the periphery of the cutter by centrifugal force. Ice may be removed from the receptacle B through a suitable door as indicated in my prior patents. Any moisture which ymay accumulate within the receptacle B may pass through the openings 15 in the platform 14 and may then be drained from the machine through the pipe 13, which may be equipped with suitable hose (not shown). As will be apparent, the ice shaving assembly C may be readily removed when desired by simply lifting the cap 27 from the squared shaft extension 26, and the blades of the cutter assembly may be sharpened or replaced as desired. As will be apparent, the drive from the prime mover D to the ice cutter is a straight line so that there is no loss of power between the motor and the cutter, as would be the case if gears were interposed between the prime mover and cutter. Also, owing to the presence of the cap 27 the sealed bearings 37 and 38 and the protecting sleeve or pipe 43, no moisture can come in contact with the drive shaft or extensions thereof even though it passes directly through the center of the ice compartment. If desired the prime mover D may be used to drive other ice shaving machines similar to the assembly A-B through suitable shafting connected to the clutch 'member 45, or if desired the cutter C of the present device could be driven from a separate source of power follower in such positiony and to permit insertion of a block of ice through the' through a coupling similar to the coupling 45 herein shown. In any event the drive from the source of power beneath the machine to thc cutter assembly C takes place through a straight line direction extending through the ice receiving compartment with all parts of the shafting which are enclosed within the receptacle being fully protected against moisture from melting ice.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration but it will be obvious that numerous modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claim.

I claim:

In an ice shaving machine, the combination of an upper receptacle having an open bottom and adapted to receive a block of ice to be shaved, a rectangular lower receptacle for shaved ice, a set of four arms extending radially inwardly from the corners of said lower receptacle in a plane spaced downwardly from the bottom of the upper receptacle, an upper anti-friction bearing mounted at the center of said arms, said lower receptacle having a bottom provided with a central aperture, an annular socket provided on the bottom of said lower receptacle concentrically with said aperture, a lower antifriction bearing mounted in said socket, a vertical drive shaft journalled in the upper and lower bearings, the upper end portion of said drive shaft projecting above said arms and the lower portion thereof projecting through said aperture below the bottom of said lower re- 6 ceptacle, an electric motor mounted under the bottom of the lower receptacle and connected to the lower end of said drive shaft, a rotary ice shaving assembly secured to the upper end of the drive shaft for engagement with the underside of a block of ice in said upper receptacle, said ice shaving assembly including a mounting cap at the bottom thereof, said cap being in abutment with said upper bearing whereby to prevent access of moisture to the latter, an elevated foraminous platform provided with downturned support members at its marginal edges resting on the bottom of said lower receptacle, the center portion of said platform resting on the upper edge of said annular socket and being provided with a central opening, and a moisture protecting tube enclosing said drive shaft, the upper end portion of said vtube being mounted in said arms under said upper bearing and the lower end of the tube being disposed in said opening of said platform whereby to exclude moisture from said lower bearing and from said aperture 4in the bottom of 20 the lower receptacle.

References Cited in the sie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 25 1,700,819 Bert Feb. 5, 1929 2,445,617 Hofmann Iuly 20, 1948 2,646,223 Quntilian July 21, 1953 2,678,073 De Nardis May 11, 1954 2,726,070 Tudor Dec. 6, 1955 

